The c3 Sicilian has been one of the most widely played openings among club and tournament players for more than a decade. It leads to dynamic play in which the better prepared player invariably comes out on top. In this handy battle manual, highly-regarded author Grandmaster Joe Gallagher offers a comprehensive survey of the state of current theory for both White and Black players, explaining the basic elements, strategies and tactics for both sides. (6 1/8' x 9 1/8', 176 pages, illustrations)

Brought together in one volume as part of Everyman Chess's series of compilation books: Play the Najdorf: Scheveningen Style by John Emms and Play the King's Indian: A complete Repertoire for Black in this most dynamic of openings by Joe Gallagher. The Najdorf Sicilian is one of the most sharp, dynamic and popular openings that Black can play and is a firm favourite amongst the world's elite players, including world number one Garry Kasparov. From very early on, Black unbalances the game to a reach a position in which one can play for the win without exceptional risk. The soundness of the Najdorf has never been questioned, but some players can be put off by the ever-spiralling amount of theory amassed on this great opening. In Play the Najdorf, however, Grandmaster and openings expert John Emms condenses this mountain to produce a workable black repertoire against all of White's possible options. The King's Indian has always been one of the sharpest, most complex and popular openings that Black can play; it still provides the setting for many encounters at the elite level of Grandmaster chess. Straight from the start, Black fights for the initiative and in many variations, while White pursues material gains, it is Black who has the psychological advantage of trying to checkmate the opponent's king. Despite its many advantages, some prospective Kings Indian players are put off by the seemingly endless amount of theory one is supposed to learn. In Play the Kings Indian, however, Grandmaster and life-long Kings Indian devotee Joe Gallagher has produced a comprehensive and yet workable black repertoire against all of Whites most dangerous possibilities.

Everyman Chess's Starting Out series has firmly established itself as the leading guide to studying openings for up-and-coming players. These books are distinguished by their easy-to-read layout, the lucid explanations of the fundamentals, and the abundance of notes, tips and warnings to help the reader absorb vital ideas. Now brought together in one volume are...Starting Out: The Pirc/Modern by Joe Gallagher. The very closely linked Pirc and Modern Defences are dynamic systems that are favoured by ambitious, counter-attacking players. Black plays very much in a hypermodern fashion, allowing White to build an unopposed pawn centre with the idea of plotting its eventual downfall. In this revolutionary book, Grandmaster Joe Gallagher goes back to basics, studying the fundamental principles of the Pirc/Modern and its numerous variations. In this revolutionary book, Grandmaster Joe Gallagher goes back to basics, studying the fundamental principles of the Pirc/Modern and its numerous variations. Starting Out: The Modern by Nigel Davies.In this book, Davies studies the Modern by going back to basics, introducing the key moves and ideas, and taking care to explain the reasoning behind them - something that has often been neglected or taken for granted. The Modern Defence is a dynamic, ambitious and universal opening, one that can be used against virtually every system White can play. Black's provocative strategy is based upon allowing White to construct an imposing pawn centre in the anticipation that a well-timed strike will bring about its downfall. Both sides can play for high rewards, albeit at some risk: White can hope to succeed with a direct attack or to squash Black with a space advantage, while Black will aim to destroy White's centre and mop up the remains. All in all this can lead to intriguing battles in which one slip from either side is often fatal..

Two great books from the Everyman Chess Library, Starting Out: The King's Indian by Joe Gallagher and Starting Out: The Sicilian Dragon by Andrew Martin, brought together in one volume. ----- The King's Indian is one of the most exciting defences in chess and is favoured by ambitious and aggressive players. At the highest level it has been a major weapon for World Champions Bobby Fischer and Garry Kasparov. In this easy-to-read guide, Grandmaster Joe Gallagher goes back to the basics of the King's Indian, studying the key principles of its many variations. Throughout the book there are an abundance of notes, tips, warnings and exercises to help the improving player, while important strategies, ideas and tactics for both sides are clearly illustrated. ----- In Starting Out: The Sicilian Dragon Andrew Martin studies this famous opening in a simplistic way, introducing the crucial initial moves and ideas and taking care to explain the reasoning behind them, something that has sometimes been neglected or taken for grantedFew would disagree that the Sicilian Dragon is one of the most exciting, high profile and controversial openings in chess history. Right from the very beginning of the game Black chooses to unbalance the position, thus maximising his or her chances of playing for a win. The positions reached are dynamic and of a highly tactical nature, with both players very often going straight for each other's throats in search of a quick-fire knockout blow. In these razor-sharp encounters, it goes without saying that one slip by either side can prove to be fatal. Because of its aggressive nature, the Sicilian Dragon is very popular at all levels of chess, while it received an ultimate seal of approval when Garry Kasparov used it as his main weapon to beat Vishy Anand in a World Championship match.

Few players have captured the public imagination like the former World Champion Mikhail Tal. With his unique attacking style, he dazzled the chess world on the way to becoming the youngest ever World Champion (at that time) in 1960, winning friends around the world for both his entertaining play and engaging personality. Although Tal's championship reign was brief, he continued to delight his many fans with brilliant sacrificial games until his death in 1992. In this book Grandmaster Joe Gallagher takes a fresh look at Tal's games and career, focusing on the previously neglected period from 1975 to 1992 during which he played some of his most accomplished chess. Despite periodic bouts of ill-health Tal occupied a place in the world's top ten for most of this period, winning any top-class events and securing dozens of wonderful victories, many of which are annotated in detail here. (6 1/4 x 9 1/4, 224 pages, diagrams)

The King's Indian has always been one of the sharpest, most complex and popular openings that Black can play; it still provides the setting for many encounters at the elite level of Grandmaster chess. Straight from the start, Black fights for the initiative and in many variations, while White pursues material gains, it is Black who has the psychological advantage of trying checkmate the opponent's king.
Despite its many advantages, some prospective King's Indian players are put off by the seemingly endless amount of theory one is supposed to learn. In Play the King's Indian, however, Grandmaster and life-long King's Indian devotee Joe Gallagher has produced a comprehensive and yet workable black repertoire against all of White's most dangerous possibilities.
*Written by a renowned King's Indian expert
*Includes up-to-date theory on a fascinating opening
*Covers all of White's replies

These books are perfect for enthusiastic chess players who are starting out in the game, and who are seeking to understand the basic principles behind these important openings: the Pirc/Modern and the Grunfeld. Both books are written in a user-friendly style with an abundance of notes, tips and warnings scattered throughout, while key strategies, ideas, and tactics for both sides are clearly illustrated.
The authors of these books are very skilled and experienced chess writers, who are used to writing for players of all levels and are renowned for their ability to explain ideas in a lucid and straightforward manner.
These books will be especially beneficial to those players who have previously sharpened their chess skills with the earlier books Starting Out in Chess, Tips for Young Players and Improve Your Opening Play.
*User-friendly design to help readers absorb ideas
*Concentrates on the fundamental principles of the openings
*Ideal for the improving player

Marine Captain Mac McKenzie and his loyal team of special ops warriors pull off the mission of a lifetime; the rescue of two American hostages being held by Muslim insurgents in Iraq. By Presidential decree Mac and his men are ordered to Washington D.C. to entertain an offer that would change each of their lives forever. Follow these four men as they embark on top secret missions, working alongside the Central Intelligence Agency. When Mac's morals are called into question all hell breaks loose and the men are forced to disobey orders to save the lives of innocent civilians. This decision would come to haunt each of them as their lives become entangled in the middle of a government conspiracy that threatens both the national security and the integrity of the United States of America. Mac and his men must search for answers before time runs out and their ultimate showdown with destiny begins. For lurking in the shadows is an ancient evil that is speeding toward them like a locomotive. The Marines are assisted by Mac's father retired General Robert McKenzie and a rural Sheriff's deputy from Idaho. Nothing is as it seems and no one can be trusted. Brace yourself for a thrill ride of action and adventure, government conspiracies, and the horror of a creature that possesses the power to destroy all mankind.

The exciting sequel to A Walk Into Darkness. The General and Hank are back in Wyatt's Landing in search of the beast, but as their paths collide, Hank begins to question the General's motives. Will the General be able to save Mac from a life trapped within the beast or will he be forced to take the life of his son? As the body count continues to rise, Hank turns to the governor for help and soon the National Guard is called to offer their assistance. Within hours of their arrival, the true power behind General Smith is revealed, and nothing will ever be the same. Follow the General and Hank as they search for answers that may help unlock the secret to Mac's prison. The Day of the Beast offers the promise of action, suspense, and the unpredictable plot twists you've come to expect from A Walk Into Darkness. From the moment of the first encounter with the beast to the last, The Day of the Beast will keep you looking over your shoulder and begging for the light of day.

These books are perfect for enthusiastic chess players who are starting out in the game, and who are seeking to understand the basic principles behind these most important openings: the Sicilian, the King's Indian, the Nimzo-Indian, and the French. All four books are written in a user-friendly style with an abundance of notes, tips, and warnings scattered throughout, while key strategies, ideas, and tactics for both sides are clearly illustrated. The authors of these books are all very skilled and experienced chess writers, who are used to writing for players of all levels and are renowned for their ability to explain ideas in a lucid and straightforward manner.
-- User-friendly design to help readers absorb ideas
-- Concentrates on the fundamental principles of the openings
-- Ideal for the improving player

Sometida a un intenso debate teorico desde hace decadas, la Variante Najdorf es una de las defensas mas agudas y controvertidas, porque le ofrece a las negras excelentes posibilidades de victoria, sin correr excesivos riesgos. Este es, sin duda, el trabajo mas completo y de mayor autoridad realizado hasta la fecha sobre la Variante Najdorf de la Defensa Siciliana, el sistema predilecto de jugadores de la talla de Tal, Fischer y Kasparov.